Chiefs-Chargers prediction: Can KC avenge that turnover-plagued loss in trip to LA?
With just four weeks remaining in the regular season, the Chiefs are locked in a three-way tie for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
As they head to Los Angeles for a Thursday Night Football tilt with the Chargers, they’re reminded that they would already have a leg up in this race if not for an onslaught of turnovers in their first meeting.
The Chargers beat the Chiefs 30-24 in Week 3, but Patrick Mahomes threw a pair of interceptions, and the Chiefs lost two fumbles. The Chargers, by contrast, did not turn it over once.
And yet the final margin was just six. It stands to reason that among their four losses, that’s the one the Chiefs would most like to have back.
Well, they do get another shot Thursday — with more on the line than that No. 1 seed. The AFC West is at stake, too. The Chargers can pull even in the standings with a victory, and they would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker if they indeed pull off a season sweep.
If the Chiefs win, they can move their division lead to two with only three games to play.
Because they’re more likely to replicate the offensive output (437 yards, eight drives into Chargers territory) than the turnovers (4), consider that Chiefs win the most likely outcome this time.
Kickoff: 7:20 p.m. (Central)
TV/radio: Fox (Ch. 4) and NFL Network/WDAF (106.5 FM)
Line: Chiefs by 3
Sam McDowell’s prediction: Chiefs 27-24
This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 10:03 AM with the headline "Chiefs-Chargers prediction: Can KC avenge that turnover-plagued loss in trip to LA?."